EastMinCom Lauds the Japanese ConGen in Amending Travel Advisory in Mindanao, Davao Region

NSFA, Panacan, Davao City - In a bid to further enhance the peace and development in Davao Region, the Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) under the leadership of LtGen. Greg T. Almerol lauded the Japanese Consul General in his effort to amend the travel advisory to Mindanao, particularly the Davao region.

The Consul General of Japan in Davao City Ishikawa Yoshihisa said during the National Day Reception and 64th Birthday celebration of the Japanese Emperor held at SMX Center in Lanang on February 15 that Japan imposed a strict travel advisory to Mindanao.

Japan placed the Davao Region at Level 2 in the Japan travel advisory. This indicates and tells Japanese travelers to refrain from traveling to Davao if the purpose is non-essential and non-urgent. The strict travel advisory is due to the public's representation that "Mindanao is dangerous".

However, ConGen Yoshihisa mentioned that he has been receiving indications from various sectors, such as investors, tourists, and students, expressing their keen interest in Davao.

Simultaneously, the Consul General emphasized in his New Year's Message his ongoing efforts to reduce the severity of the Japanese government's travel advisory for Japanese nationals traveling to the regions in Mindanao. He also emphasized that one of his primary focus as the Consul General is the peace process in Mindanao.

He added that Japan will remain deeply committed to the peace and development in Mindanao.

"If we succeed in amending the travel advisory, many Japanese companies, investors, tourists, and students will surely come to Mindanao, especially Davao," Consul General Yoshihisa said.

Meanwhile, the Command assures the safety of all foreign nationals within the area of jurisdictions, specifically in the Davao Region. Highlighting the recent declaration of an "Insurgency-free Davao Region,"

"The Command's collaboration with the Japanese government through the Consul General will persist, ensuring essential security for the people in the area and the travelers. Davao region’s peaceful environment, backed by its "Insurgency-Free" status merits the level 2 travel advisory downgrade to our region. Rest assured that maintaining the peace and security in Eastern Mindanao remains our utmost priority." LtGen. Almerol said.

The amendments to the travel advisory are in recognition of the real situation on the ground wherein communities are adopting the “culture of security” to prevent terrorism in Eastern Mindanao, particularly the Davao region.#

Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP